U-turns in the dusk
Worked a day shift today for orientation, so it was weird to come home in the near dusk at 5:15 or so. It seems to get darker earlier here, even accounting for the recent time change. The change in time zones, coupled with the loss of daylight is making me sleepier than normal. Add on starting work at 8:30 in the morning, and you have one tired girl.
So tired that I missed my turn to the freeway, so I attempted to zen navigate my way to the freeway, but then realized I didn’t know if I lived north or south on the freeway. I eventually figured it out, and didn’t get too frustrated in the process, even as the daylight was waning.
One thing that’s funny about Fresno, and maybe it’s like this in other places in California too, is that U-turns are legal.
Yep, that’s right folks. You not only can turn around, but it’s encouraged in certain places.
There are a lot of nice, landscaped boulevards here which therefore make it impossible to turn some places. So a lot of times, you end up having to overshoot your destination, and either find a light where you can turn around easily, or find a simple turn lane with an arrow. Either way, it’s a little unnerving until you see people do it all the time. Some signs are even marked as left/U-turn lanes.
You also learn to make sure that you’re using the correct lane; sometimes a lane might be a left turn lane for the other way.
I feel a little naughty every time I turn right around, but dad, everyone’s doing it!
Melissa, I am laughing giddily with you on this one. Being able to make U-turns LEGALLY has been one of my clear joys since moving to Milwaukee, where I am happy to report they provide those nice U-turn lanes as well. And isn’t it just grander that the boulevards are landscaped? Sure, I don’t have palm trees like you do, but in my opinion, these are the markings of a city worth living in!!! So I share your sentiments wholeheartedly. Let’s hear it for legal and encouraged U-turns. They make life a little easier and a little brighter.
Tee hee! I’m glad you’re with me on that. It is very pretty in parts of Fresno. I think I’m going to enjoy living here. I know that people who have lived here all their lives probably have a different perspective, but isn’t it cool to be living somewhere different? And to do things that you’d be in trouble for somewhere else?